Harris, Lockheed, Rockwell Demo K-band Satellite

Photonics.comAug 2004
MELBOURNE, Florida, Aug. 11 -- Harris Corp., in cooperation with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Rockwell Collins Government Systems, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, recently demonstrated a small-diameter, multifunction advanced data link prototype antenna that accurately receives signals from military communications satellites. The specialized, phased array antenna, developed by Harris under a cooperative R&D effort with Lockheed Martin, is less than three inches in diameter. Harris said it is ideal for use onboard military fighter jets and for other tactical applications.

"This first-of-its-kind, K-band downlink-capable, three-inch antenna opens the door to a wide range of new applications that will allow satellites in this frequency band to link with tactical airborne platforms, particularly stealth aircraft such as the F/A-22 and F-35, which require much smaller, lighter antennas," said Dan Pearson,
president, Department of Defense Programs business unit, Harris Government Communications Systems Division (GCSD).

Harris Corp. said the new antenna is the first small-diameter phased array that can support air-to-air communications and also provide reception of K-band satellite communications signals. It was integrated with Rockwell Collins' single-channel anti-jam manportable (SCAMP) terminal down conversion and modem hardware. The antenna was subsequently able to support successful end-to-end communications at the maximum low data rate of 2,400 b/s.